Woking Borough Council has sought to reassure West Byfleet residents over fears a proposed pub could scupper plans to refurbish a children's playground.

In July 2016, two mothers - Rebecca Bradshaw and Emma Slaymaker - started a campaign for funds to revamp the play area at the village's recreation ground.

But according to a member of the West Byfleet Neighbourhood Forum (WBNF) committee, they have heard nothing since February 2017 despite the campaign securing funding from Woking Borough Council and Surrey County Council .

Speaking at WBNF's annual general meeting, chairman Wade Pollard said one of the mothers called the equipment supplier and was told the order had been cancelled. However, a council spokesman said no orders have been placed.

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Councillor Mark Pengelly, the council's portfolio holder for cultural and community development, said: "The initial funding to renovate sections of the West Byfleet Recreation Ground playground was agreed by council and is secured.

"Additional external funding was awarded to two local parents through the Surrey County Council 'Community Improvement Fund' last November, and is still available for this project.

"Initial quotes were collected in order to enable the external funding application and, since then, we have been developing the final brief with the two local parents who led the campaign to raise the additional funding.

"We will be inviting suppliers to provide formal quotes against the final brief in due course."

The Marston's proposal for a new pub and sports pavilion on West Byfleet recreation ground. The playground is just above the 'Sports Community Building' (Image: Marston's)

Marston's plans, unveiled at the West Byfleet LIVE event on July 30 , show a new pub being built on part of the recreation ground next to St John's Church, with a new car park next to the bowling green and a community sports building between the bowling green and the playground.

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"We are fortunate enough that with the existing large development schemes in West Byfleet, we will have a significant Community Infrastructure Levy sum to rebuild our pavilion without the need to rely on selling our heritage to fund it."

Mr Pollard said once Marston's submitted a planning application to Woking Borough Council, WBNF would begin asking residents to sign a petition against the pub.

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